Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Hello Brother! ❯ Surprising pasts and long-lost relatives! ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter 1:

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin (no matter how much I wish)

 

“Hey! Don't eat all of the food, Ugly! I want some too!” yelled Yahiko in a mock- angry voice.

 

Everyone was sitting around a large pot, filled to the brim with food, at the Aka-beko (I don't know how to spell it), Yahiko's name calling earned him a very large lump on the head from Koaru.

 

“Shut up Yahiko, there's plenty of food and I am not ugly!”

 

Kenshin just smiled at the bickering two, “She's right Yahiko, there is plenty of food to go around.” Sano laughed and added, “You two act just like a brother and sister would!”

 

At this comment, Koaru stopped her verbal brawl with Yahiko and thought, `I wonder how he is. I wish he would come and visit because I hate having to keep his secret from everyone here.'

 

Koaru's train of thought was broken by Kenshin's slightly worried tone, “Koaru-dono, is everything alright? You look worried about something.”

 

Koaru smiled at him and told him that everything was fine. Megumi gave her a mean look, speaking scornfully, “She just wants attention, she's a spoiled brat.”

 

She looked at Koaru, “You're just a little girl who doesn't know anything. You don't know what it feels like to lose everything you ever loved. You think life is so carefree while we've all had terrible pasts!”

 

Koaru had her head slightly tilted forward so that her bangs covered her eyes while Megumi was talking.

 

Megumi let out a triumphant laugh and said, “Oh look, now she's going to cry like she always does.” Koaru's hands were shaking as she put down her bowl and chopsticks.

 

She stood up and looked Megumi in the eye, her face expressionless, but her eyes were cold and filled with long-held anger.

 

Koaru, in an expressionless tone said, “Let me ask you one question Megumi,” Megumi was obviously very taken aback, said, “W-what?”

 

Koaru's eyes narrowed slightly, “What gives you the right to think you know of my past?” Megumi just stared at her in stunned silence as she started to walk off.

 

Kenshin began to get up, “Koaru-dono, I'll come-“Koaru cut him off, “No.”

 

She walked over to Tsubame and paid her for the group's meal and left without a word.

 

Megumi looked over at Kenshin and the others as they returned her look with three glares, Kenshin's was the fiercest, “You went too far that time, Megumi, that you did.” He said in a low voice.

 

Koaru walked slowly back to the dojo, deep in thought. When she got there she changed into her training clothes, grabbed her wooden sword and began her exercises.

 

When the rest of the Kenshin-gumi (not including Megumi) got back, Koaru, who had been working out for over two hours, was sitting on a bench and leaning against the wall.

 

She looked as if she was deep in thought, `She didn't even notice us come in.' Kenshin thought to himself.

 

Her eyes were open but she didn't seem to notice Sano and Yahiko when they stood in front of her.

 

“I wonder if she's asleep,” said Sano, Yahiko just looked at her, about to say something when Koaru snapped out of her thoughts and blinked.

 

Koaru forced a smile “You're back so soon?” Yahiko gave her an odd look and said, “What was your family like?”

 

Everyone was surprised at the suddenness of Yahiko's question, Koaru stiffened and Kenshin said to the boy, “Yahiko, that is none of our business you shouldn't…”, he was cut off by a knock on the dojo's outer door.

 

Kenshin opened the door to see a slim man that was the same height as Sano, his raven black hair reaching all the way to his waist and was pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Had three swords, two on his waist and one slung across his back.

 

“Uh… hello,” Kenshin said as the man bowed slightly, “can I help you?” The man smiled and replied, “Yes I'm looking for a young woman, Kamiya Kaoru, do you know her?”

 

Before Kenshin could reply, Koaru had walked over to where Kenshin was in front of the door. When she got her first good look at the visitor she stopped where she was and stared at him. He stared right back at her.

 

Kenshin looked over at Koaru, her eyes were wide as she whispered, “Keitaru”

 

The strange man smiled at her, “Yep, and how are you?” Suddenly, Kaoru slammed her fist into his gut, the force of the blow doubling him over in pain.

 

By now, Kenshin was utterly baffled, and a few feet away Sano and Yahiko were just as confused as he was about Koaru's strange behavior towards the equally strange guest.

 

As the man straightened himself out, he laughed and said, “I guess I deserved that” Koaru glared at him, “I haven't seen you in three years you jerk!”

Kaoru looked close to tears as she glared angrily at the stranger in front of her.

 

Kenshin, Sano, and Yahiko were staring in shocked silence as the man walked up to Kaoru and hugged her.

 

`She seems upset but she still lets him hug her, that she does.' Kenshin thought as he watched.

 

Finally, Sano snapped back to attention and said in an annoyed voice, “Hey, who are you and how do you know the Little Missy?!”

 

Kaoru pulled away from the embrace, the man turned to Sano and grinned, “Wow Kaoru, you've got two lovers and a child of your own!”

 

He burst out in laughter as her face turned a deep crimson, but his laughter stopped when she grabbed the back of his head and slammed his face into the ground with incredible force and speed.

 

“It's not like that, you stupid jerk!” Kaoru said as he struggled to get off the ground.

Yahiko ran up to them, “Who are you calling a child!” Keitaru looked first at Yahiko and then at Kaoru, “I think some introductions are needed.”

 

Kaoru glared at him and then looked at each of her friends and sighed, “This,” she waved towards the stranger, “is Keitaru… my brother.”

 

Kenshin was so shocked by the news that he could barely squeak an “Oro?!” and once more all three of them were shocked into silence.

 

The so-called, `Keitaru' was sitting on the ground looking up at Kaoru with big blue cry-baby eyes, “That really hurt you know!” he said in a whining voice.

 

Kaoru looked down at him and replied, “You deserved it, you smart-mouthed idiot.”

 

She reached down and helped him get up. “How long are you going to stay this time?” asked Kaoru.

 

“I don't know, about two weeks I guess. How long do you think that you can stand me?” Keitaru replied as he dusted himself off.

 

Kaoru looked at Kenshin, “Do you mind sharing a room with him Kenshin? If you don't, it's alright, he can sleep outside.”

 

Keitaru sweat-dropped and Kenshin snapped out of his surprise, smiling, “I don't mind Kaoru-dono, that I don't. This is your dojo.”

 

Kaoru smiled at him, “Yeah, but he can be extremely annoying.”

“Hey! I resent that!” yelled Keitaru from behind Kaoru.

 

Kaoru just laughed.

 

~~~later that night~~~

 

“That was great!” declared Yahiko after everyone was done eating the dinner that Keitaru had cooked. “Now I know what happened to Kaoru's cooking skills, they all went to you!”

 

Everyone but Kaoru laughed, “Why you little…!” Kaoru yelled as hit Yahiko over the head, leaving a large lump.

 

Keitaru over looked at Kaoru, “Your personality hasn't changed one bit since the last time I saw you Kaoru. Oh, and don't think that I forgot your birthday was in three days.”

 

He stood up and started to clear the table, Kenshin walked to the kitchen and began to wash the dishes.

 

Kaoru stood up and stretched, “It's late, I'm going to bed now.” Keitaru walked to a corner of the room and sat down, leaning his head against the wall, he closed his eyes. Sano walked over, “Are you gonna' sleep there?”

 

Keitaru opened one eye, looking up at the spiky haired man, “Yep, I don't really like to intrude.”

 

Kaoru slid open a closet door and pulled out an extra blanket, “I knew you wouldn't share a room.”

 

She dropped the blanket at his side, “Good night.” Keitaru closed his eyes once more after draping the blanket across himself, “G`night.”

 

………………………&# 8230;….

 

Around noon the next day after Kaoru's training with Yahiko, Keitaru walked into the dojo with a letter.

 

“Hey kaoru! You got a letter!” he called as he slid the door open. Kaoru walked out of the kitchen where she was making tea, “Who is it from?” she asked as she took the scroll from him.

 

“It doesn't give any clue to where it's from.” Replied her older brother.

 

She broke the seal on the scroll and opened it.

 

Kenshin and Sano walked in at that moment, just returning from a trip in town.

 

“Hey Little Missy what cha' got there? A letter? Who's it from?” he asked as she looked finished unrolling it.

 

“Yes, a letter and I have no idea who it's from.” She answered. Her eyes quickly scanned the message.

 

“Kaoru-dono! What is wrong!?” Kenshin asked worriedly, for Kaoru's face had suddenly gone pale. Her eyes were wide with terror.

 

Kaoru dropped the scroll and stepped back, her whole body was shaking and she seemed to have forgotten that the rest of them were there.

 

Keitaru took Kaoru by the shoulders and looked into her face, “Kaoru what's wrong!?”

 

Kenshin had picked up the scroll, he and Sano read it but couldn't understand what could have upset Kaoru so much, all it said was:

 

My dearest Kaoru,

I do hope that you haven't forgotten me,

I'll be coming for a visit soon, so be sure to watch yourself.

Lord Nobuzaki

 

Keitaru had calmed Kaoru down enough for her to say, “It-it's not p-possible! He died seven years ago! I saw him die…right in front…of...me!” by now, Kaoru was hysterical.

 

Keitaru pulled out a small bottle of liquid, “Drink this Kaoru.” he said as he handed it to her. She downed it in one shot, even though she was shaking like a leaf.

 

Kaoru's breathing became deeper and more even, her eyes closed as her body went limp.

 

Her brother caught her before she could fall to the ground though. He picked up her sleeping form and walked to her room, laying her out on her futon.

 

He walked back out and asked Kenshin for the scroll. After he read it he looked up, a worried expression on his face, “Impossible…but that explains Kaoru's strange behavior.”

 

By now, Kenshin and Sano wanted to know what they were missing, “Could you tell us what this is all about?” Kenshin asked, getting aggravated that something he didn't know about had upset Kaoru.

 

Apparently Sano felt the same because he slammed his fist into his palm and growled, “Why'd she get so upset over that message? And who is this Nobuzaki person anyway? Did he threaten the Little Missy? Because I'll show him…”

 

Keitaru looked up sharply, “No, Nobuzaki is the last person you want to mess with. Plus, this is between him and the Kasshin family. It has nothing to do with you.”

 

Sano and Kenshin both looked him square in the eyes, “Hey! The Little Missy is our friend and anyone who messes with her, messes with us. Right Kenshin?”

 

Kenshin nodded, “He's right, Kaoru-dono has done so much for us and I can't stand having her in a state like this,” he waved a hand in the direction of her room, “so please tell us who this man is and why just the mention of his name would cause her such fright.”

 

Keitaru looked at them and could tell that they really meant it. He sighed, “Alright I guess if Kaoru trusts you, I will too.”

 

……………………..

 

A/N- this fic is OOC only to the point where Koaru is 21 instead of 17. Just to let ya know.

 

………………………&# 8230;………………………… …………………………

 

Keitaru sat down on the floor Indian style, “This might take a while so you might as well sit down. Or would you prefer to stand there the whole time?” he said.

 

Kenshin and Sano sat down, Keitaru gave them a searching glance, “What do you want to know?” he asked.

 

The question was directed at Kenshin, “Everything.” Kenshin stated without hesitation.

 

Keitaru sighed, “I can't tell you everything but I will tell you all I can.” He sighed, “First of all, Koaru and I were not the only children, we had two more brothers and a sister. Our mother was also still alive at the time. We were a happy family; at least we were until it happened. Ten years ago, while my father was gone on a trip, a large group of fighters attacked our home. We put up a long fight but they outnumbered us and we were soon beaten, they took us as captives and shackled us to the saddles of their horses.”

 

Sano's eyes widened, “Who were they and why did they attack the dojo?!” he demanded.

 

Kenshin also opened his mouth but before he could say anything, Keitaru held up his hand in a gesture of silence.

 

“You have to hear the whole story since you asked for it. Now, no more interruptions.”

 

Sano looked like he was about to say something but stopped when he saw that Kenshin was giving him a look that obviously meant, `let's just listen for now'

 

Keitaru took a deep breath and continued, “We traveled for three days without food before we finally arrived at our destination. It was a large castle that stood on a ledge near a cliff. By then, we were too weak to defend ourselves when about three men dragged us to the roof and chained us to a wall. They then grabbed our mother, and try as she did, she was too weak to stop them from chaining her to a large stake set on the middle of the roof, we were all faced towards it. Under her feet, the men placed bales of dry grass and then left us alone.”

 

My mother tried to reassure us by saying that everything would be alright and that nothing would happen to us.”

 

Keitaru's eyes watered at the memory, but he held back his tears and continued the story.

 

“After an hour or so, one man with a cigarette came onto the roof. He wasn't one of the gang members though. I was to later find out that he owned the castle we were at. It was Nobuzaki. He walked strait up to our mother and talked to us over his shoulder. He only said one thing to us, `This is how we of the Nobu-clan rid ourselves of filth.' And with that he pulled out a gun and shot her through the each shoulder so she couldn't struggle and then dropped his lit cigarette onto the piles of grass. They ignited almost immediately, and he my mother turned to us just as the fire reached her feet, I remember the sadness in her eyes. With that, the fire began to burn her body and the man began to laugh.”

 

Keitaru's voice faltered a bit and he paused before continuing. “We all tried to break free of the shackles to save her, but it was useless. The one thing that I will always remember is the fact that my mother never screamed no matter how much pain she was in, even when she was burning alive, she never uttered a sound.”

 

Both Sano and Kenshin were horrified by what they had just heard, “I never knew,” Kenshin whispered.

 

Keitaru stood but before he could take a step Sano asked, “What happened to the rest of you?!”

 

Keitaru didn't look at them, his bangs hiding his eyes, “We were tortured. Three of us didn't survive, only Koaru and I made it out alive. I'm afraid I can't tell you anymore than that. If you really want to know, you can ask Koaru. But I'd rather not have her relive those horrible memories”

 

Sano suddenly became suspicious, “How do we know that you're telling the truth?”

 

Keitaru looked up sharply, “I would never lie about something like that! If you still don't believe me that take a look at this,” he slid his gi off of his shoulders, revealing his slightly tanned chest. It was littered with long scars that had obviously come from some very bad wounds.

 

Sano gasped and Kenshin's eyes widened slightly.

 

“I wouldn't do this to myself, Kaoru has some too. She would never let anyone see them though. She wanted it to stay a secret as much as possible, so don't repeat anything you heard in this room today.” Keitaru said as he reset his gi over his chest, covering up the scars once more.

 

“But, Koaru… I never saw…” Kenshin couldn't finish the sentence. He never would have imagined that Koaru could hide such pain.

 

Keitaru had his back to Kenshin as he spoke, “You never saw them because she never let you. Think about it, have you ever seen her abdomen? For your sake I hope not, but by the surprise on your face I can tell you haven't. And have you noticed that no matter what kind of fight she's in she is careful not to let her legs show? That's the reason why.”

 

Kenshin thought about it for a few moments, ` He's right, she did not even let Megumi treat wounds lower than her shoulders. Wait, then that means…!'

 

“Does that mean Dr. Gensai knows about it too!?” Kenshin demanded, not caring how anxious he sounded.

 

“He's the one who treated our wounds when we were able to return home.” Was all Keitaru said before walking out of the room to check on Koaru.

 

 

WARNING! - I might need to make the rating higher for later chapters! Lots of blood and gore! There WILL be torture scenes so, if you are weak of mind, heart, or soul. Please find a kind, and fuzzy fic to read before it's too late! It won't become bad till later but I warned you!